One of my first memorable Federation experiences was when I went on a young adult mission to Israel 11 years ago. I’d never been to Israel. I was hesitant to leave my children but something in me said “just go, it will be worth it.” And, it was! Israel was simply beautiful. It moved me.

To me, the last of anything has always meant turning the page to something new. So ending my role as chair of Women’s Philanthropy is not really an end. My Federation journey and our community needs will remain as relevant a passion tomorrow as they are today.

The first time most of us create a will is when we have children. As we mature and our family structure changes, so too must the manner in which we view our estate plans. A will is more than a means to transfer property; it can be an expression of one’s personal ideals. The passing of values from one generation to the next is one of the most fundamental tenets of Judaism.

Here in Jerusalem, the conditions are all too familiar with people expressing gratitude for my coming despite the current situation. I have been here many times during terrorist attacks. This time, however, feels a bit different because the terror is coming from seemingly random attackers, unorganized, but deadly just the same. People continue to go about their business but look around more carefully as they walk on the street, changing familiar routes.

Excited to be a volunteer? Join us at one of our largest community-wide events of the year to make calls in support of the Campaign for Jewish Needs! Check out the top 10 Reasons Why Being a Super Sunday Volunteer is Super!

Brancha, an Ethiopian-Israeli girl, was in ninth grade when her mother died. She was suddenly alone, and her grades plummeted. She was placed in a low-performing vocational high school where she did not belong.

Jewish Federations can be found in nearly every city in North America, and our leaders are among the most committed philanthropists in their communities. In just three generations, Jewish Federations across North America forged one of the top 10 philanthropic networks on the continent, helped rescue millions of Jewish refugees from across the globe, helped to build the State of Israel and continue to touch more Jewish lives than any system in the world.